May 15, 1880
Manitoulin Expositor
MANITOWANING–Our village was the scene of a very sad occurrence on Wednesday the occasion being the burial of Joseph Thompson. Sheguiandah and Little Current Orange Lodges turned out to bear their departed brother’s remains to their last resting place. Mr. McLaughlin gave a very impressive sermon in the W. M. Church before proceeding to the graveyard. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity and sad was the procession that wended its way through the street. Following the coffin was a sorrowful wife left with the care of four small children, the eldest being only nine years of age and the youngest not yet two.
There too was an aged father bowed down with grief, but happy in the thought that he would again meet his loving son in a world where sorrow is unknown. Mr. Thompson came on the Island last autumn and during his short stay made many friends. He was a victim to that deadly disease – consumption – and was confined to his bed for some weeks before his death. He asked his friends who were with him to meet him in heaven where he saw the angels assembled to welcome him home.
April 17, 1880
Manitoulin Expositor
Alex McLean of this township {Manitowaning} has been and gone and done it. He has taken unto himself a rib in the person of Miss M. Dawson, by this means reducing the number of bachelors and spinsters. Rev. J. Baskerville spoiled their bing twain by making them one flesh. We wish them as large a share of enjoyment as falls to the lot of mortal man in this life. It is expected that this break in that much respected family will be succeeded shortly by a few more deeds of a similar character.
May 15, 1880
Manitoulin Expositor
Little Current, April 29
On Wednesday evening at about 9 o’clock the Reverend R. James arrived here, and has he meant business after having brushed up a bit, proceeded to the residence of Mr. P. Weatherly and united in the holy bonds of matrimony Mr. W. Hubbard and Miss M. Weatherly.
May 15, 1880
Manitoulin Expositor
Sad Death of a White Man in an Indian Camp
News has just been received of the death of Arthur Cole Hill, who died at Serpent River on April 8th. The deceased came from England, was about 35 years of age and possessed a good college education. He entered the service of the Hudson Bay Co. for three years and upon the expiration of his time signed for two years more, after putting in for about 1 year of the latter term he made the acquaintance of a squaw and wanted to get married, but as he could not do so until he left the Company he wrote to head quarters for his discharge and salary up to that time. Mr. Mackenzie, who was in charge of the post at that time, also wrote explaining matters which resulted in the discharge not being granted.
Hill was then sent up Lake Superior to another post where it was thought he would give up the idea of marrying a squaw, but he did not stop there long, he deserted and got married.
According to some rules of the Company a man who does not serve his time out loses all back money, and such was the case with Hill However, he heard from his brother, Henry Hill who, we are informed, holds some office in the Bank of England, that there was $500. to his credit there and he intended to sue the Hudson Bay Co. for back pay which is about $600. After he got married he made his home among the Indians at Serpent River, following their life fishing, hunting, etc. and received a small amount for looking after Murray’s mill at that place.
Last November he took sick and as there was no medical attendance at hand he lingered on till his death. Frank Miller who has been trading on the North Shore all winter was at Serpent River on April 7th and went to see Hill at the sugar bush about 15 miles from there, upon asking him what was the matter, he replied that he had been sick but felt better then. Miller stopped in front of the wigwam that night and next morning Hill took worse and told him he was dying. He told Miller that if anything happened and if his money could be obtained his wife was to have it. He was silent for awhile, suddenly a gun was fired, followed by two more reports, then turning on his side he said, “Frank, do you know what that means?” On being told that he did not he said, “that means there’s a death in the camp, but I ain’t a gone coon yet.” After laying quite a few moments he asked Miller to learn his little boy to pray, and that was his last request, he died at 2 p.m.
It was a hard scene Miller being the only white man with him, the deceased’s wife and child, her mother, and four Indians comprised the funeral. The body was rolled in a blanket and drawn out of camp on a dog-sleigh followed by the little procession in single file and placing a few arrows in the grave they buried him. Deceased was well liked both by the Indians and white men and his sad death is deeply felt by all who knew him.